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Kruger Named to United States Rugby World Cup Team

September 1, 2015

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Niku Kruger '15 has been named to the 31-man team representing the United States in the Rugby World Cup 2015 England. Kruger, a biology/pre-med major from Pretoria South Africa, graduated from KU in May and led the Golden Bears to second place in the USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championships later that month.

Captain Chris Wyles will lead 20 World Cup debutants in Pool B matches against Japan, Samoa, Scotland, and South Africa at Kingsholm, Brighton Community Stadium, Elland Road, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, respectively. While more than two million tickets have been sold to the world's largest celebration of rugby, tickets are still available through the Rugby World Cup website.

The team selected for the trip across the Atlantic Ocean is the same as the squad chosen for the three pre-World Cup matches, which included a third-consecutive defeat of Canada. Additionally, 13 players have professional contracts overseas.

"In terms of Rugby World Cup experience, yes, this is a relatively inexperienced group," Tolkin said. "However, while the Rugby World Cup is a whole different kettle of fish, many of these players do have a fair bit of international play under their belts since 2011."

Wyles led the U.S. in scoring at the 2011 event in New Zealand with 18 points, including all of the team's points in a 27-10 loss to Italy. Along with their captain, Mike Petri, Mate Moeakiola, Taku Ngwenya, and Louis Stanfill will appear in their third World Cups.

Among those making their debuts is Toulon's Samu Manoa, who earned his first international cap in November 2010. His then-new contract with Northampton Saints of the Aviva Premiership caused him to miss Rugby World Cup 2011.

Though Manoa has only appeared for the U.S. once so far in 2015, many of the players will have played 10 matches against international competition by Rugby World Cup kickoff. Chris Baumann, Zach Fenoglio, Seamus Kelly, Olive Kilifi, Niku Kruger, Al McFarland, AJ MacGinty, John Quill, Stanfill, Shalom Suniula, and Phil Thiel gained continuity during a three-match tour of South America as the USA Rugby Selects, and 29 members of the squad that defeated Japan and Canada in the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup will travel to England.

"It's good that we're operating from a base where those domestic guys went to Argentina and Uruguay and did well, got game time, then were joined by some of the professionals who added a bit more depth and professionalism to the squad," Tolkin said. "Samu is just another layer there.

"The guys feel confident playing without him, but he brings a great deal of impact to the side. He's a natural leader; he's a great ballplayer. Samu's been waiting to play in the World Cup for four years, so I know he's really thrilled at the prospect."